ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 59, 11 March 1930, Page 13

ROWING.

INTER-CLUB EVENTS. NORTH SHORE UNBEATEN. KEEN RACING PROMISED AT X GARUAWAHI A. Anotlier inter-club non-class fours race has been decided and still the North Shore Club's series of success remains unbroken. The Smith Shield win can be regarded a great one, for the other clubs made 110 secret of the fact that they were out to check the Shoreites ruii. Equally so the oarsmen from the northern side of the harbour were determined to win. They trained hard and the line form they were in was clearly shown throughout the journey. Once again the crews filled the first and second positions, thus establishing another record in this class of racing. Hopes of the race being decided 011 Saturday afternoon looked very gloomy when a view of the harbour was taken with a fresh north-east sea running. However, the new waterfront railway again proved a boon to oarsmen, for !>■;]).'nd the embankment in Hob.;on Bay we l .-? an ideal stretch of water. It was not the length the shield race is usually decided upon, but the shorter course was hailed with delight by some crews. It proved, however, their undoing, for the pace set was one that only crews in the best condition could see through. After a false start the crews went away in fine style 011 the second attempt. Settling quickly to their work Waitemata held a slight lead with the other crews well bunched when passing the gap. At half-way the crews were in a spearhead formation with Shore at the point. Dean thus held a commanding view of the field, and was easily able to respond to all challenges thrown out. At the three-quarter mark Waitemata and St. George's had petered out, a little further 011 West End were finished with. This left the two Shore crews to light it out with Auckland in third place. Dean's crew proved equal to all demands and got its reward for hard training with a win by four feet. The other crews paid the compliment that Shore were too fit for them. What might have proved an unfortunate incident was. the mistake made by the officials in allowing the North Shore No. 3 crew to go down the course when the other crews were practically ready to start. The crew went close to West End, and had any interference occurred, much unpleasantness would have arisen. So far this season races have not been interfered with by crews not in the race, but for several seasons past offenders have caused trouble. There is a limit to everything, and even with the rough harbour conditions, crews were given much consideration, for the starter waited almost an hour before firing his gun. Clubs were given plenty of warn- | ing to prepare- for emergencies in case | of bad weather and much time would 9 have been saved if all members of some clubs had shouldered the work instead ! of leaving it to a few. West End's Win. One inter-club trophy, the Mason Cup [ for junior pair-oars, has not fallen to the custody of North Shore. In Saturday's race four crews started, Shore being unable to start owing to not possessing a suitable boat. The contest calls for little comment, as the West End pair, Felton and Bloxham, were in a class by themselves, and shaking off the opposition early, drew away to win by six lengths. Measuring Boats. A slight stir was caused on Saturday when it was mentioned that the North Shore boat would be measured. It was, however, what the association was entitled to do. The test proved that everything was correct. The incident might be taken as a reminder that in future the association officials run the rule over a new boat when it first arrives. An Easy Win. The pair-oar trials of the Auckland Club for trophies, donated by Messrs. | Walker and Hall produced three races; | A short course was rowed 011 account I of the rough water, but it proved far I enough for some crews. The final S promised well, but Rose and Cleal swung together well and opened out to win by three lengths. Final Test. There will be some hard racing at the Ngaruawahia regatta next Saturday when the provincial clubs will have the last clash of the season to replenish the finances. A total of fifty-two entries has been received for the nine races. If the draw for positions as received is correct, a few surprises can be expected. In any case on this course many a crew has had its record upset and now the oarsmen seem resigned to it. The racing should be very interesting, especially in the light and heavy maiden fours, also the youths and junior fours, and supporters of winning crews at the Whau regatta will spend anxious moments until their fancies reach the Waipa river. Last year at this regatta West End headed the winning list after a most erratic season's performance. It is pleasing to note the revival of> interest in the senior fours with six crews. May they all start. . Interprovincial Eights. At last the Auckland eight-oar crew for the interprovincial race on March 22 has been announced. The crew is composed of all Hamilton men, and it must be admitted with the style they row and the facilities for training, it was the best selection under the circumstances. It was mentioned in these columns earlier in the season —and the full reasons were given—that Auckland's best hope of capturing the Hallyburton Johnstone Cup would bo with a crew of |tlie river oarsmen. The hope was later [expressed that a town afid country crew would be pitted against one another for a try out, but that was found impossible to bring about. There are several men in town who may he considered for a crew, but the difficulties of training offer a barrier difficult to overcome. It is fully recognised that Auckland's chances on its own course are best for capturing the trophy, as a more powerful" crew can be got together than when travelling south is necessary. Full confidence can be placed in the Hamilton men to spare no efforts in their training operations and appear on the Whau River to worthily uphold the province's record. This will be the third contest for the cup.. In the first Auckland finished last, but last season was not represented. Tickets are selling well for the .race on March 22, and the five or six crews of eights on the Whau River should be a spectacular sight. The course is to be buoyed off by Captain H. H. Sergeant, and this should provide a great measure of satisfaction to all concerned. » A